The following signs are permitted within all Commercial Service Districts, but subject to the provisions of this chapter.
(a) Commercial Signs. Business signs, excluding advertising signs and billboards, shall be limited to the name of the business or service conducted or goods sold on the premises.
(b) Determining the Area of Commercial Signs. The total area of all signs herein permitted shall not exceed one and one-half square feet for each foot of the frontage of the building on a major street. On corner lots, 40 % of the building width facing the side street may be included in determining the maximum area of signs. A building having access to parking areas in the rear or side may have an additional sign not exceeding one square foot of sign for each horizontal foot of wall of the building facing the parking area. The square footage for the front and side walls cannot be accumulated into one sign. The area of specific types of commercial signs shall be determined by the following:
(1) Wall signs. Wall signs attached to and approximately parallel to the building wall shall not exceed 96 square feet in area, one dimension of which shall not to exceed four feet.
Where the subject building is occupied by more than one tenant, the following shall apply:
A. Each tenant shall be entitled to a wall sign not to exceed 64 square feet; and
B. The building may have a tenant directory in front of the building which shall be no more than five feet high and four feet wide, with individual tenant listings no more than six inches in height.
(2) Ground signs. In addition to the other types of permitted signs, one free-standing ground sign per parcel, having a height of not more than five feet and a width of not more than 12 feet, may be erected, with a total sign area not to exceed 30 square feet, on each face, provided that landscaping is placed around the free-standing ground sign.
Such ground signs shall be constructed of brick, stone, or precast panels, any one of which must be approved by the Building Inspector. The sign shall be located in front of the setback line, shall be perpendicular to the public street and shall be at least five feet in back of the dedicated portion of the public street.
(3) Window signs. Window signs, including posters, signs and stickers, announcing sales, new products or special business events may be permitted in addition to the maximum gross area of a permanent business sign if located on the inside of windows or doors of a business establishment. Such signs shall not exceed 20% of the show or display window or door area. In no case shall window signs be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days.
(4) Business development signs. Business development “for sale” or “for lease” signs shall be permitted when the development is less than 50% developed with business establishments, and if located no closer than 200 feet to any occupied residence and the sign does not exceed 60 square feet in area. Such signs may be illuminated if not of excessive brightness and if shielded from adjacent residences or streets.
(c) Placement of Commercial Signs. No wall sign shall extend higher than the ridge line or top of the parapet wall of the building. No part of any sign shall extend into the public right-of-way, including its full width, and no part shall extend closer to a residential lot line than 15 feet. In the case of a sign on a vacant lot, no part of the sign shall be located in front of the building setback line. Subject to the above square footage limits, not more than two signs shall be permitted on a front wall and only one sign on a side wall.
(d) Sign Illumination. When signs are illuminated, their light source shall not be of excessive brightness, or cause a glare hazardous to pedestrians or auto drivers, or be objectionable to adjacent Residential Districts.
(e) Temporary Signs. Temporary outdoor signs, banners, or streamers may be permitted for not more than 180 days in each year for each establishment.
(Ord. 73-94. Passed 10-4-94; Ord. 15-02. Passed 2-5-02.)